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2024

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Best Auto Repair Shops in South Bend, IN

Our Recommended Top 9

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored South Bend Auto Repair Shops on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

30Reviewed

21Curated

9Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

3611 N Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

A-Plus Auto Service extends it car repair services to clients in South Bend. The facility repairs minor and complex automotive issues on both domestic and foreign vehicles. Its ASE-certified technicians—who have over 70 years of combined automotive experience—work on a variety of vehicle composites, such as engines, exhaust systems, power steering, suspensions, and electrical systems. The crew also performs maintenance services like oil changes, emission leak testing, fuel injection, wheel alignment, and regular tune-ups. The family-run business has been serving motorists for over 25 years.

  • State Inspection

405 W. Jefferson Blvd, Mishawaka, IN 46545

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (485)
Facebook
4.6 (54)
Yelp
4.0 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Rick's Auto Service is a locally owned business that has been catering to vehicle owners in South Bend for over 42 years. It works on both American and Asian vehicles, such as Chevrolet, Cadillac, Mazda, and Mitsubishi. It handles car diagnostics, timing belt replacement, oil changes, and brake, transmission, and cooling system repairs. In addition, it is an authorized ACDelco auto care center. Its owner, Rick Thomas, started his career in the automotive industry as a junior mechanic in 1977.

  • AAA Certified
  • ASE Certified
  • State Inspection

18255 Vaness St., South Bend, IN 46637

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (707)
Yelp
4.6 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Zolman's Best One Tire & Auto Care - South Bend, IN, which is a NAPA AutoCare Center, is a locally owned and operated business that has been serving drivers in the local area and nearby locations since 1978. Its ASE-certified mechanics repair a wide range of car components, from front disc brakes and exterior lighting to transfer cases and transmissions. They also align wheels and replace shocks. The technicians specialize in repairing Hyundai, KIA, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda vehicles.

  • State Inspection
  • Smog Inspection

320 E Ireland Road, South Bend, IN 46614

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (526)
Facebook
4.0 (160)
Yelp
2.0 (26)

Why choose this provider?

Gurley Leep Ford, a three-time Ford President's Award winner, is a South Bend-based dealership offering auto repair solutions for Mustang, Expedition, Explorer, and Fusion vehicles. Its service department handles general car care services, including oil changes, tire rotation, and brake tune-ups. The team also replaces parts like spark plugs, batteries, belts, hoses, and filters to keep vehicles running in optimal condition. The technicians at Gurley Leep Ford are factory-trained to service Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs.

  • Ford Service Center

2900 S Main St, South Bend, IN 46614

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (319)
Facebook
4.4 (37)
Yelp
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Dave's Garage is an auto repair shop that helps car owners in the area of South Bend keep their vehicles running smoothly. It has technicians who specialize in engine diagnostics and suspension and steering repairs. The business also performs auto maintenance, repair, replacement, and inspection services. It handles various makes and models of domestic and foreign vehicles such as BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Mercedez-Benz, Honda, and Audi. Dave's Garage has more than 50 years of automotive repair experience.

  • State Inspection
  • Smog Inspection

3201 Sugar Maple Lane, South Bend, IN 46628

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (151)
Yelp
4.5 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Tom’s Car Care Center serves the vehicle owners of South Bend. Its team of technicians provides car care services like tire rotation, inspection, and replacement of filters, belts, batteries, wiper blades, and lights. It also performs transmission and radiator flush, fuel injection cleaning, differential, and transfer case services. The shop's oil change process includes checking the air filter and tire pressure, inspecting the hose and exhaust, and lubricating the hood and door hinges. The company supports various organizations, including Hospice Foundation and Women's Care Center.

  • Audi Service Center
  • Mercedes-Benz Service Center

1575 North Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (88)

Why choose this provider?

TMT Automotive is a family-owned shop that has been serving owners of American, European, and Asian cars in South Bend since 1984. It has ASE-certified technicians on staff who provide solutions to problems involving the transmission, differentials, gears, shocks, struts, batteries, and electrical systems. They perform engine checks and repairs and exhaust system diagnostics. The shop offers a special package for its tire services, offering products manufactured by Goodyear, General, Sumitomo, Michelin, and Bridgestone. TMT Automotive, operated by the father-and-son tandem of Mike and Tony Tatich, has 20 storage units for personal, business, and commercial items.

  • ASE Certified

1739 Lincolnway, East Mishawaka, IN 46544

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (133)
Facebook
4.3 (35)
Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Kyle's Auto Repair Inc has been catering to clients in South Bend for more than 20 years. The 11-service bay facility offers an array of diagnostic and repair services on various automotive components, including transmissions, clutches, differentials, engines, and suspensions. Its team of mechanics performs preventative maintenance to avoid recurring fixes, as well as conducts inspections for pre-purchased cars. They replace oils, flush fluids, rotate tires, and check batteries. The company partners with ACDelco and NAPA Autocare Centers for OEM parts and products.

  • ASE Certified
  • Smog Inspection

902 S. Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46601

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (104)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Precision Transmission has been serving clients throughout the South Bend metro for more than four decades. The company runs a repair service and works on the car owner's transmission and braking systems. It also takes on maintenance work and diagnoses the vehicle's onboard computer to determine potential issues. It provides other solutions, including power steering flushes, oil changes, and engine tune-ups. The company is a member of different organizations like the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association.

  • ASE Certified

Compare our Top Auto Repair Shops

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
A-Plus Auto Service
3611 N Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545
Rick's Auto Service
405 W. Jefferson Blvd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
Zolman's Best One Tire & Auto Care - South Bend, IN
18255 Vaness St., South Bend, IN 46637
Gurley Leep Ford
320 E Ireland Road, South Bend, IN 46614
Dave's Garage
2900 S Main St, South Bend, IN 46614
Tom’s Car Care Center
3201 Sugar Maple Lane, South Bend, IN 46628
TMT Automotive
1575 North Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628
Kyle's Auto Repair Inc
1739 Lincolnway, East Mishawaka, IN 46544
Precision Transmission
902 S. Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46601

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Automobiles have increasingly become a necessary convenience. They can also be extremely frustrating when not operating properly. Knowing the basics of car maintenance can help you make informed decisions as you move forward.

    One key point to understand is the difference between auto body and auto repair shops. Auto body shops focus only on the body, or the nonmoving parts of the vehicle. Auto body technicians repair dents in doors and fenders and replace broken windshields.

    Auto repair shops handle the components that contribute to powering the vehicle or making it stop. Auto mechanics maintain and repair components, such as electrical wiring, engines, transmissions, and brakes.
  • What maintenance does a car need annually?

    Some routine maintenance, such as an oil change, is recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and other services, such as belts, hoses, and fuel filters, should be addressed quarterly. Annual upkeep includes brake and suspension checks. Specific maintenance depends on the miles driven and the vehicle's age. Consult the car's service manual for more detailed guidelines.

  • What does it mean when your car says maintenance is required?

    The vehicle's maintenance required light comes on at specific mileage intervals. If the car's been driven more than 4,500 miles, it might illuminate to remind you that an oil change is necessary to maintain optimal performance. The maintenance required alert differs from the check engine light, which appears for specific operating issues that need to be addressed.

  • How much should I budget for car maintenance?

    While AAA recommends setting aside $1,200 a year ($50 a month to cover auto maintenance and another $50 for repairs), much depends on the make and condition of the specific vehicle. A basic oil change and filter is approximately $50. However, the same service for a Mercedes-Benz costs as much as $200, according to The Detroit Bureau.

    Keeping up with routine maintenance will help prevent some major repairs, but components such as timing belts and brakes ultimately need to be replaced, putting a $400 to $900 dent in your wallet.
  • What kind of maintenance do electric cars need?

    Monthly maintenance should comprise checking the tire pressure and windshield wiper fluid. At 7,500 miles, the battery, power inverter, cabin heater, and charger modules' coolant levels need to be checked. A visual inspection of the vehicle's other moving parts, such as the power steering and suspension, should also be included.

  • Can you negotiate car repairs at a dealership?

    Dealerships use a sales or service writer management team to estimate parts and labor repair costs. Their mechanics focus on repairing the vehicle. While it's possible to negotiate a more palatable rate with dealerships, their preset pricing systems are more structured than independent shops. It pays to be prepared with cost comparisons.

  • Is car repair insurance worth the cost?

    Car repair insurance typically covers the repair of mechanical breakdowns, such as air conditioning, electrical and fuel systems, engines, and transmissions. The caveat is that a standard car repair insurance policy only covers a vehicle up to 72,000 miles, according to Forbes. Few vehicles experience major mechanical problems under 100,000 miles, and if they do, they're usually covered under warranty.

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